This year marks 20 years of the establishment of Hope Clinic in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan. Although much has changed since we first set foot in this beautiful city, our dedication to the people of Kyrgyzstan remains strong. Since day one, love has been at the center of our work, compelling us to serve the needy and the vulnerable through medical services and community care.
Kyrgyzstan is one of the poorest countries in the world. In the past, it inherited the Soviet system of free universal health care. However, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the healthcare system faced a major setback. Many people did not have adequate care anymore. The small number of private health facilities were expensive and sub-standard. The situation was so dire that an outbreak of measles in Bishkek in early 1993 was said to be just below epidemic level due to lack of access to crucial medical services and medicines. Hope Clinic was born from a vision to fulfill this imminent and urgent need that few knew existed at the time.
As early as 1999 when Luke Services International (LSI) first came to the country, our team started caring for the sick through medical stations mainly in the Dungan village. Seeing the great need for affordable, quality medical services, our founding members took a leap of faith to purchase the clinic site in Tokmok in June 2000. After extensive remodel, it was outfitted with basic medical equipment. Hope Clinic opened its doors in May 2001 with the mission to heal sick people who suffer poverty, malnutrition, and lack of dietary knowledge. The communities that we serve also extend way beyond the Dungans to include Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Uyghur, Chechen, Tartar, Russian, just to name a few.
Since its inception, Hope Clinic has been well received among the locals. Despite only having three locally hired doctors and a small group of support staff In the first few years of operation, the Clinic had grown in popularity as seen by the large number of visits. Not only did patients come from local areas, but some would travel from outside the town. Patients commended the Clinic as “affordable” and “very effective”; and our medical staff “attentive,” “caring,” and “professional.” This kind of recognition is heart-warming, especially with the hardship and uncertainties witnessed in Kyrgyzstan. It shows that when we care enough to work alongside others, the entire community prospers.
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Hope Clinic was blessed with funding for several upgrades through the last two decades. Today, our Clinic provides comprehensive, yet still low-cost, medical services ranging from primary care and dental service to specialties such as cardiology, neurology, pediatrics, OB-GYN, acupuncture, physical therapy, and social work. Nowadays, the team consists of 21 staff members, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab technicians, social workers, and other support staff. The facility is equipped with advanced medical equipment, a pharmacy, and a laboratory that often assists the less equipped local hospitals with various tests. Utilizing the only computerized medical record management and information sharing program in Tokmok, our patients can even be diagnosed by specialists overseas.
While recent developments in urban areas may be a step up, the villages in Kyrgyzstan are still very much in poverty. The mountain environment also adds to the challenge of accessible healthcare for people of limited means. For instance, visiting our Clinic is out of the question especially for the elderly and those with disabilities. But they, too, should not be forgotten. That’s why we started the Mobile Medical Program in September 2010. Twelve villages were initially identified as our “premier targets.” They are all approximately 30 kilometers (about 19 miles) from Tokmok. Resources are extremely limited in these neighborhoods. Some villages are still without electricity. It is hard to imagine that a few villages have to share one nurse.
Before the pandemic, our Mobile Medical Unit visited villages on a regular basis to serve these underserved communities with primary care, dental services, vision care, and more. Besides a team of doctors, nurses and lab technicians, we also brought household supplies, medicines, and new reading glasses to them. In summer time, our mobile unit sometimes got help from overseas short-term mission teams. We were always warmly welcomed by the villagers. Every visit was a golden opportunity to share joy and blessings with them. Plans are already underway to resume our mobile services.
Even in the thick of pandemic, we are still providing help through our medical services at Hope Clinic and with home visits in nearby areas. In addition, our team at Hope Center works with local partner organizations to purchase and distribute food and coal for the most needy and vulnerable near and far – many up in the mountains, during unfavorable conditions.
He cannot move after injuring his neck.
when they deliver coal and food to her family.
We believe that the presence of Hope Clinic and our work has raised awareness of the importance of community wellness, which created a positive ripple effect in many aspects. The Kyrgyz government gradually put more investment into the medical system. The country’s current health strategy of “Healthy Person – Prosperous Country” echoes our Hope Clinic’s vision.
“Look back and be grateful, look ahead and be hopeful, look around and be helpful.” This inspiring quote captures the essence of our mission and vision. What began as an idea during a trip has blossomed into a multifaceted facility that helps to bring wellness to the disadvantaged and inspires others to do the same. Amid ongoing uncertainties, we will keep focused on the task as long as needs continue to come in. Our dream is that as Hope Clinic ventures into its 21st year, it will shine like a beacon of hope in places where help seems distant and hope inaccessible.